Community leaders and stakeholders gathered April 16–17 for a two-day Planning and Design Charrette, marking a major step forward in Excelsior Springs’ efforts to update its Comprehensive Plan. Held at the First United Methodist Church, the charrette brought together members of the city’s Stakeholders and Technical Committees to dive deep into topics shaping the city’s future, including land use, transportation, economic development, and quality of life.
Following the two-day workshop, the city hosted a Public Open House to share initial findings and gather additional community input. Residents now have another chance to participate through a Virtual Open House, available until Friday, May 9, at www.excelsioracommunityrising.com.
The last update to Excelsior Springs’ Comprehensive Plan was in 2009. City officials say the new plan will guide growth and development for the next 20 years, helping ensure that Excelsior Springs continues to meet the needs of its residents, maintains a high quality of life, and preserves the community’s character. Designed to build consensus, the plan will serve as a public roadmap that records shared goals and values, while also identifying priorities for future development.
Planned focus areas include:
- Land Use
- Transportation
- Utilities
- Development Growth
- Economic Development
- Quality of Life and Character
- Natural Areas and Open Space
- Government and Regional Relations
During the charrette, participants reviewed existing conditions, including land use patterns, zoning, parks, trails, service areas, and walkability. They also discussed findings from recent economic and market trend analyses.
Highlights of those findings include:
- Retail Market Trends: Excelsior Springs outperforms the state average in retail sales with a pull factor of 1.025. However, limited retail inventory leads many residents to shop outside the community, pointing to a need for expanded retail options locally.
- Industrial Market Trends: The city’s industrial space has been fully occupied since 2020, placing constraints on attracting and expanding industrial businesses. Industrial jobs make up 25.7% of employment in Excelsior Springs, slightly below the statewide rate of 28.4%.
- Housing Trends: Detached single-family homes represent 75.7% of the city’s housing stock, above the state average. Multi-family housing accounts for 22.3%. Notably, no new large-scale apartment complexes have been built since 2012.
- Development Opportunities: Key areas for retail and mixed-use development include Greenfield sites along U.S. Highway 69, underutilized properties along Kearney Road, the historic downtown area, and future development near the airport and Doniphan Lake Road. Employment-related growth opportunities were also identified at sites like McCullough Industrial Park, the Treehouse Brands property, and a 160-acre parcel near the airport.
Throughout the event, stakeholders emphasized several common themes based on community feedback:
- Quality Development: Residents expressed a desire for new housing and commercial developments, downtown revitalization, and stronger commitment to city maintenance.
- Community Spirit: Some noted a lack of civic involvement and optimism within the community, with a call for greater positivity and engagement.
- Financial Stability: Concerns about generational poverty and the impact of inflation on local families and projects were raised, underscoring the need for targeted economic initiatives.
Excelsior Springs’ leaders stress that broad public participation is critical to shaping a plan that truly reflects the community’s values and aspirations. The Virtual Open House, live through May 9, mirrors the materials presented at the in-person event and invites citizens to provide feedback on draft place types, community values, and early conceptual site designs.
To participate, visit www.excelsioracommunityrising.com and make your voice heard.
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